Watchdog to hold inquiry into bullying allegations

access to estate staff and records.”

However he stressed his role remained entirely independent and impartial: “I would encourage those tenants who are unhappy with the way their situation was handled to contact me so that I can arrange to meet with them in order to fully understand their concerns. All discussions will be in confidence.”

SLC chairman, Andrew Thin welcomed the approach taken by the estate, adding that public meetings fitted with the commission’s aim of fostering openness and increasing accountability in such discussions.

The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) said the meeting had been “a remarkable demonstration of local democracy”, adding that those present had not held hold back in expressing their deep concerns about the management of the estate and the lack of consultation over major changes of land use.

“The Duke of Buccleuch has to be congratulated for appearing at the meeting in person rather than hiding behind his team of factors which is so often the case,” said STFA chairman, Christopher Nicholson who had attended the meeting.

However, he added that times were changing in Scotland and landowners were now far more accountable – and local communities along with those who lived and worked on estates had to be consulted and their views taken into account when changes were proposed. Welcoming the TFC investigation, Nicholson added that the general attitude of profit before people whichwas“alltoooftenthe hallmark of estate management” had no place in rural Scotland: “Consequently, we would urge the TFC not to restrict his investigations to Eskdale and Liddesdale Estate, but to conduct a wider survey how Buccleuch Estates are managed and its relationships with tenants and communities over its wider landholdings”.